There are plenty of misconceptions over the migrant crisis and Brexit

The recent flow of some migrants in small boats from France to the Kent coast has been variously described as a crisis and even a catastrophe, with the Home Secretary dashing back early from his holiday break to personally take charge of operations.

The upsurge of this new course of dangerous travel across the world’s busiest shipping lanes is touted by people traffickers as linked to the onset of Brexit and a rush to get to the UK before the drawbridge goes up.

This is a total misconception on the part of the migrants being peddled such myths. So far, the hapless migrants all originate from non-EU countries, so their conditions of entry to the UK is solely a matter for the UK Government to determine and is not in the gift of the EU. In fact the UK, as a full EU member, enjoys greater protection of its borders against illegal migrants than if it was in a state of post Brexit.

Under EU accords, non-EU migrants can be returned to the first EU country they entered. Under the current EU regime, the Government can collaborate and coordinate with partner countries, share intelligence, including marine intelligence and mount joint operations in international waters.

After 29 March 2019, under a post-Brexit regime, the UK is likely to be denied intelligence on migrant movements, there will be no legal obligation or incentive for France to block people smugglers from selling dangerous cross-channel journeys in frail craft bound for UK destinations. The numbers of drownings within British waters will multiply.

It would not be beyond the realm of possibility to imagine spontaneous pop-up camps of asylum seekers stretching along the A259 as a result of a no-deal Brexit. A no-deal Brexit is likely to weaken our borders and not gain control as was advocated in the referendum campaign. Our two current MPs in Eastbourne and Lewes are being strangled by their own political obstinacy, pursuing unrealistic goals and exposing the electorates to a wide range of risks, including illegal migration.